June 10, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State senior second baseman Nick Walsh has signed a free agent contract to play professionally with the New York Yankees. He joins six other Sun Devils from the 2004 team that were selected in the amateur draft earlier in the week: Dustin Pedroia (2nd rd., Red Sox), Josh Asanovich (11th rd., Tampa Bay), Jason Urquidez (11th rd., Reds), Jeff Larish (13th rd., Dodgers), Ladd Hall (27th rd., Expos) and Jeff Mousser (35th rd., Twins).
The fifth-year senior hit .329 (49-for-149) during the 2004 season, earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors. The native of Alamo, Calif. and product of prep powerhouse De La Salle High School, hit .305 for his career with 29 doubles and 15 stolen bases. He hit .353 (24-for-68) in Pac-10 play in 2004 and over his last two seasons in conference play batted .380 (49-for-129).
A true utility player, Walsh started at five different positions during his Sun Devil career (1B, 2B, LF, RF, DH) and was known to be one of ASU's hardest working players. Walsh enjoyed two of the most memorable games of his career against Washington State. He blasted the game-winning home run in 2001 (his only home run as a Sun Devil) and went 6-for-6 with five runs scored, three doubles and seven RBI in 2003.
Walsh graduated with a degree in Sociology last December and plans to return next season as ASU's graduate assistant and pursue his master's degree. Walsh will fly to Tampa, Fla., this weekend for a four-day mini camp and will most likely be assigned to rookie ball in Tampa (Gulf Coast League) or Staten Island (New York/Penn League).
Nick Walsh Career Statistics:
Year Avg GP-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO GDP OB% SF SH SB-ATT PO A E FLD% 2001.... .264 44-21 91 26 24 3 0 1 15 30 .330 31 5 9 2 .472 0 3 2-5 10 1 1 .917 2002.... .219 41-14 64 19 14 2 0 0 9 16 .250 20 7 12 4 .446 1 2 4-5 2 6 0 1.000 2003.... .353 56-26 119 37 42 7 1 0 23 51 .429 22 8 14 5 .483 0 3 3-5 28 15 3 .935 2004.... .329 51-43 149 31 49 7 0 0 23 56 .376 22 7 13 2 .431 3 7 6-12 86 76 5 .970 TOTAL... .305 192-104 423 113 129 19 1 1 70 153 .362 95 27 48 13 .457 4 15 15-27 126 98 9 .961